Patents Examined by Joel F Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8672048
    Abstract: A pull bar mounting bracket assembly is provided for mounting to the weight rack on the front of a given make of tractor. The mounting assembly includes two brackets positioned on either end of a row of weights that are made for said tractor make and supported on the weight rack, the brackets also being made for the given make of tractor and supported on the weight rack like the weights. The brackets have apertures that align with corresponding apertures in the weights to allow a bolt to be extended through the weights and secured at each end to the brackets. Each bracket also supports a clamp having a fixed clamp base and a removable clamp lock that are used to removably secure a pull bar to the brackets. The pull bar mounting bracket assembly can be easily removed from one model of the given make of tractor to another model of that tractor make without requiring any modification or customization of the mounting assembly or the tractors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Eugene Crumpler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8660759
    Abstract: To provide a traveling crane operation control apparatus and method enabling an operator to operate a traveling crane quickly and accurately by one hand and by a motion of his or her body with a controller worn thereon, without the need to gaze at his or her hand, and also allowing variable-speed control and fine speed control of each drive unit. An operation control apparatus for a traveling crane has an operation control circuit section 1 including a base unit 2 wearable on an arm 4 of an operator and a control unit 3 operable by a hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kito Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hashimoto, Yafang Shi, Michio Fukasawa, Shigeru Muramatsu, Koichi Koizumi, Shigeo Terai
  • Patent number: 8657026
    Abstract: A harrow includes plural hydraulic actuators to displace respective working elements between opposing first and second positions. The actuators are connected in series in a phasing relationship to define one or more hydraulic circuits. Each circuit includes a lead actuator mounted in a first orientation to displace the respective working elements in a first direction when extended and a secondary actuator in series with the lead actuator in an opposing second orientation to displace the respective working elements in the first direction when retracted. One of the ports of the secondary actuator is coupled to the same one of the ports of the lead actuator such that all of the working elements are simultaneously displaced in a common direction when supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the lead actuator. Additional actuators may be similarly connected in series in alternating orientations with the lead and secondary actuators of each circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Ian James Friesen
  • Patent number: 8646542
    Abstract: Ground preparation appliance having a driven working shaft arrangement. Working shaft arrangement. A ground preparation appliance having a driven working shaft arrangement, which is rotatably mounted in a preparation housing that is open towards the ground, is known. According to the invention, the preparation housing has at least two housing envelope portions, which are mounted so as to be displaceable relative to one another in the circumferential direction. Application for rear tillers on trail caterpillars for the purpose of snow surface preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kaessbohrer Gelaendefahrzeug AG
    Inventor: Hans-Martin Nusser
  • Patent number: 8646543
    Abstract: A farm implement has a frame that is foldable between an extended, working position and a folded, for-transport position has a hydraulic system that controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to a series of actuators that raise and lower the implement. The hydraulic system is controlled by a control lever or arm that rotates a rockshaft to open and close hydraulic valves to change the flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuators. To prevent the unintentional lowering of the implement frame when the implement is in transport, a lockout arrangement engages the rockshaft to prevent rotation of the rockshaft when the frame is in the folded position. The lockout arrangement locks out the rockshaft automatically when the frame is raised to the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Cory Adrian Yuen
  • Patent number: 8646544
    Abstract: A tillage point (10) includes a body (12) with a flat nose (21) angled from the horizontal approximately 35 degrees, a more shallowly angled intermediate flat portion (22) behind the nose, and aft flat surfaces (28) angled downwardly in the outward direction to connections with rear wings (14). The wings (14) may be angled approximately 16 degrees downwardly in the outward direction and upwardly about 28 degrees in the aft direction to significantly improve soil fracture, vertical force and draft. The wings (14) may be positioned far back on the point body entirely above an increased strength shank mounting area (16). Use of the flat angled surfaces (21, 22, 28) improves soil rupture compared to points with more rounded surfaces. The downwardly angled flat surfaces (28) above and adjacent the wings (14) provide soil parting for improved flow around the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Tiffany L. Ingersoll
  • Patent number: 8640784
    Abstract: A turf aerator including a plurality of rotary hoes (39) that are supported along a drive shaft (41). Each rotary hoe (39) has a single journal bearing adapter (60) including a bearing support sleeve (61) with a cylindrical outer surface oriented at an angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft so as to wobble the rotary hoes laterally in response to the rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Donald C. Jones
  • Patent number: 8640785
    Abstract: An agricultural implement system is provided that includes a valve in fluid communication with first and second actuating cylinders and with first and second fluid conduits. The valve is configured to control fluid flow from the first and second fluid conduits to the first and second actuating cylinders. Furthermore, a controller is communicatively coupled to first and second pressure sensors and to the valve. The first pressure sensor is coupled to the first fluid conduit, and the second pressure sensor is coupled to the second fluid conduit. The controller is configured to determine whether the first fluid conduit or the second fluid conduit is supplying fluid to the valve based on signals from the first and second pressure sensors, and to automatically control fluid flow to the first and second actuating cylinders such that wheel assemblies are rotated to a desired angle relative to an implement frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Diaz, Leonard A. Bettin
  • Patent number: 8636078
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for a foldable farm includes first hydraulic control system is used to control weight transfer to ground engaging tools mounted to a stationary and foldable wing frame sections. A second hydraulic system is used to fold and unfold the wing sections. A hydraulic control is provided that interfaces with both hydraulic systems to control sequencing of the functions provided by the first and second hydraulic systems. The first and second hydraulically systems have mechanically controlled valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to various lifting, folding, and down pressure cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Cory Yuen
  • Patent number: 8631879
    Abstract: A floating row cleaner assembly comprising a tool arm row cleaner mount, a row cleaner frame mounting plate, a row cleaner frame pivotally attached to the tool arm row cleaner mount and the row cleaner frame mounting plate. The periphery of the u-shaped row cleaner frame is composed of a combination of angled and curved portions to reduce the length and width of the frame to allow row cleaners to be used in combination with a coulter, or other tillage tool, and planter row unit spacing below 30 inches, while allowing necessary clearance between the row cleaner(s) and the coulter for terrain responsive operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald S. Martin
  • Patent number: 8634991
    Abstract: An earthmoving system including a bulldozer has a pair of GPS receivers mounted on the cutting blade of the bulldozer. The cutting blade is supported by a blade support extending from the frame. The blade support includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the blade in relation to the frame and a blade tilt cylinder for controlling the lateral tilt of the cutting blade. Sensors, including gyroscopic sensors and an accelerometer, sense rotation of the frame about three orthogonal axes and vertical movement of the bulldozer frame that would affect the position of the blade. A control is responsive to the pair of GPS receivers and to the gyroscopic sensors, for controlling the operation of the hydraulic cylinders and thereby the position of the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Frank Beard Douglas
  • Patent number: 8607890
    Abstract: An implement capable of being attached to a power machine having a mounting portion and a tool portion. The mounting portion is configured to engage with, and be secured to, an implement carrier on the power machine. The tool portion is capable of performing a work function. The implement has a joint for attaching the tool portion to the mounting portion and an actuator having first and second ends with the first end attached to the mounting portion at a first actuator attachment point and second end attached to the tool portion at a second actuator attachment point. The tool portion is capable of rotating about an axis that extends through the joint. The joint is capable of pivoting so that the axis about which the tool portion rotates is rotatable with respect to the tool portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: John G. Liebl, Jesse A. Knudsen
  • Patent number: 8600628
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial truck, comprising a vehicle frame, a lifting framework (14), the lifting framework (14) having a first lifting frame (20) which is attached to the vehicle frame, and at least one lifting arrangement (22, 24) which is movable in the vertical direction (V) relative to the first lifting frame (20), and a measuring arrangement (32, 38, 40) which is provided in order to detect a movement of the first lifting frame (20) and/or of the lifting arrangement (22, 24) relative to the vehicle frame. In this case, it is provided according to the invention that the measuring arrangement comprises at least one optical sensor (32) by means of which the movement of the first lifting frame (20) and/or of the lifting arrangement (22, 24) can be sensed contactlessly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Haemmerl, Carsten Schoettke
  • Patent number: 8596376
    Abstract: A support apparatus is disclosed for securing a material moving wing plow relative to a vehicle. The support apparatus includes a beam having a first and a second end, the beam being rigidly secured to the vehicle. A plate having a first and a second extremity is rigidly secured to the beam. A first trailing link is pivotally secured to the plate about a first pivotal axis. A second trailing link is pivotally secured to the plate about a second pivotal axis. A support arm is provided for supporting the wing plow. The support arm has a first termination and a second termination and is pivotally secured to the first trailing link about a third pivotal axis. Also, the support arm is pivotally secured to the second trailing link about a fourth pivotal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Monroe Truck Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Holverson, John Hromadka
  • Patent number: 8596374
    Abstract: A ground working apparatus has a plow assembly including a frame formed with an attached runner and a plow tool. A linkage assembly couples the frame to a bridle assembly for movement of the plow assembly between raised and lowered positions relative to the bridle assembly. The runner and the plow tool depend downwardly from the frame to concurrently run over and plow, respectively, ground to be plowed along a plowing path ahead of the bridle assembly and the plow assembly, wherein the runner sets the frame of the plow assembly at a fixed elevated position with respect to the ground to be plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kile
  • Patent number: 8464802
    Abstract: A connector for use in as a third point connector for a tractor has a hydraulic and pneumatic chamber for providing an easy method to adjust the length of the third point connector to thereby change the angle between the tractor and an attached implement. When a release valve is opened, the two sides of the connector can be moved towards or away from each other as air enters from the environment or exits as needed to balance the pressure inside the connector. An induced air pocket in the hydraulic chamber allows for a slight cushion against the forces as the incompressible hydraulic fluid prevents larger swings in the length of the connector. One or more of the opposing ends may have threaded connectors to allow for general size changes to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tri Trac Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay E. Potter
  • Patent number: 8459371
    Abstract: An aerating device for attachment to a self-propelled lawnmower is disclosed. The device comprises a frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a pair of sides extending between the proximal end and the distal end. An axle is mounted to the frame and extends between the sides of the frame. At least one tine assembly is mounted to the axle for rotation about a tine axis extending longitudinally through the axle. A platform is secured to the frame and extends outwardly from one of the proximal and distal ends of the frame for supporting an operator in front of or behind the at least one tine assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph E. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8428829
    Abstract: Vehicles, in particular self-propelled agricultural harvesting machines such as forage harvesters or combine harvesters designed to pick up and process crops, include transfer devices that transfer all of the harvested crop material to a hauling vehicle or an attached hauling container. The discharge device is equipped with a control device for performing automatic or manual adjustments, and the self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine is equipped with a navigation system for determining the positions of the vehicles involved. To transfer the crop material to the hauling vehicle without loss, the crop discharge flow is directed only to a defined permissible tolerance region on the hauling container. The tolerance region is located within the hauling container contour and is bounded by edge zones, which are “keep-out” zones for the transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Brunnert, Lars Meyer Zu Helligen, Gerhard Nienaber, Norbert Diekhans
  • Patent number: 8408326
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for a foldable farm implement has a first hydraulic control system is used to control weight transfer to a plurality of ground engaging tools mounted to stationary and wing frame sections of the farm implement. A second hydraulic system is used to fold and unfold the wing sections for placing the implement in a compact position for transport and storage. A hydraulic control is provided that interfaces with both hydraulic systems to control sequencing of the functions provided by the first and second hydraulic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cory Adrian Yuen, Nicholas Ryder
  • Patent number: 8408325
    Abstract: An upper link for a utility vehicle, in particular for an agricultural tractor having a hydraulic cylinder (34) for adjusting the upper link (32) and at least one fluid tank (36), to which the hydraulic cylinder (34) can be coupled, so that in a coupled condition, hydraulic fluid limited to a pre-determined volume can be exchanged between the hydraulic cylinder (34) and the fluid tank (36), and so that a piston (40) of the hydraulic cylinder (34) can move in floating fashion by a distance (ls) corresponding to the pre-determined volume in the hydraulic cylinder (34). The present invention further includes a front-end as well as to a back-end three-point hitch of a utility vehicle with two pivotally connected lower links and an upper link with such a fluid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Kapfer